England all-rounder Moeen Ali claims Australia player called him ‘Osama’

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ENGLAND all-rounder Moeen Ali claims he was called “Osama” by an Australia player during the 2015 Ashes.

Moeen played a key role in England’s 169-run win in the first Test at Cardiff, scoring a half-century (77) and taking five wickets for the match in his first Ashes encounter. However, he says the memory was soured by an unnamed Australian player.

“An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said, ‘Take that, Osama,’” Moeen wrote in his new autobiography Moeen, which the Times are currently running excerpts from. “I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field.”

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Camera IconMoeen Ali starred on his Ashes debut but says the experience was soured by being called ‘Osama’.Picture: Getty Images

According to Moeen, England coach Trevor Bayliss took the issue to his counterpart Darren Lehmann, who in turn asked the Australia player for his version of events.

“I must say I was amused when I heard that for there is a world of difference between the words “Osama” and “part-timer”. Although I couldn’t have mistaken ‘part-timer’ for ‘Osama’, obviously I had to take the player’s word for it, though for the rest of the match I was angry.”

Cricket Australia has described the alleged remarks as “unacceptable” and is seeking further clarification from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and have no place in our sport, or in society,” a CA spokesperson said.

“We have a clear set of values and behaviours that comes with representing our country.”

“We take this matter very seriously, and are following up with the ECB as a matter of urgency to seek further clarification around the alleged incident.”

Moeen says the two teams barley spoke off the field until the end of the series – he believes the Australians were instructed not to interact with England’s players – at which point the unnamed Australian sought him out.

“He came up to me and said, ‘I know what you thought I said, but I didn’t say that. I’ve got Muslim friends and some of my best friends are Muslims.’

“I did not argue with him. But I was so clear that is what he said. Why should I invent it out of the blue? I’ve got nothing against him. I have never had any fights with him before. I did not even know the guy. And I thought his denial was a standard response.”

Earlier this week, Moeen told the Times Australia’s side under former captains Steve Smith and Michael Clarke were rude and lacked respect.

“Everyone you speak to...they are the only team I’ve played against my whole life that I’ve actually disliked,” he said. “Not because it’s Australia and they are the old enemy but because of the way they carry on and [their] disrespect of people and players.”